(CLEVELAND, OH) — In a ceremony at the Carl B. Stokes Federal Courthouse today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) presented overdue military medals to George Burress, a Vietnam veterans from Cleveland.

“Our veterans don’t often speak about their service. But through these medals and these ceremonies, we learn their stories,” said Brown. “As the only Ohioan to serve a full term on the Senate Veterans’ Committee, and the son of a WWII veteran, it’s one of my greatest honors in this job to be able to award veterans the medals they have earned.”

Burress served as an Army Infantryman in Vietnam. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge for sustained contact in active ground combat with enemy forces, but he never received the medal due to an error with his paperwork. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Brown’s office worked with the National Personnel Records Center and the U.S. Army to secure Mr. Burress’ medals.

Following his service in the military, Burress continued to serve his community as a law enforcement officer for more than 40 years, including work for the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the East Cleveland Police Department, and the U.S. Marshall Service.

Ohio veterans and the family members of deceased veterans may request military records and medals by contacting Senator Brown’s Cleveland office at (216) 522-7272 or by visiting the “Constituent Services” section of Brown’s website at brown.senate.gov.